welovetrump--2020-07-14--LA Times Writer:  Cancel The National Anthem, Replace It With ‘Lean On Me’

From Yahoo News , here is Rosen 's argument : The Francis Scott Key monument in San Francisco ’ s Golden Gate Park is one of those old-fashioned pieces of public art that , shall we say , lays it on thick .
It is imposing and fussy , a 52-foot-tall chunk of travertine and marble loaded up with classical trimmings .
There ’ s a fluted colonnade , four eagles with majestically fanned-out wings , swags and stars , and , at the very top of the big pile , the figure of Columbia , the traditional female personification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American flag .
In the center of the monument is the main attraction , a bronze statue of Key , the Washington , D.C. , lawyer who , 206 years ago , wrote the words to “ The Star-Spangled Banner ” to commemorate the American victory in the Battle of Baltimore , in the War of 1812 .
Key is captured in a heroic pose : enthroned on a big chair with pen in hand , looking every inch the sort of poetaster who would come up with lines like “ O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so gallantly streaming.
” At least this is how the monument used to appear .
Today , Francis Scott Key is no longer in Golden Gate Park .
On June 20 , protesters lassoed the statue with ropes , heaved and hoed , and down came Key , somersaulting off the pediment , head o ’ er heels .
Key was a slave owner , like many of the historical personages whose statues have been defaced and destroyed in the Black Lives Matter uprising that followed the May 25 killing of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also Key ’ s role as a songwriter — his famous ode to the land of the free and the home of the brave — that made him a target for protesters .
“ The Star-Spangled Banner ” had been a fixture of American life for more than a century prior to May 4 , 1931 , when President Hoover signed a bill establishing the song as the national anthem .
The tradition of playing the song prior to sporting events dates to World War II ; after the war , NFL commissioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the playing of the national anthem should be as much a part of every game as the kickoff.
” This custom has of course become a flash point in the culture wars in recent years , since the 2016 NFL preseason , when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the playing of the song .
Kaepernick pointed out that he was making a statement about racial injustice , not protesting the “ The Star-Spangled Banner ” itself .
But now , it seems , the wave of reckoning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have come for the national anthem .
In the days that followed the toppling of the Golden Gate Park statue , viral posts on social media decried “ The Star-Spangled Banner ” as a racist song .
Major League Soccer announced that the anthem would not be played before games when its season resumed in July following the coronavirus lockdown .
A high school junior in New York City made news by refusing to record the song for her school ’ s socially distanced “ virtual graduation.
” A petition posted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national anthem , pointing to “ elitist , sexist , and racist ” verses in Key ’ s poem , “ Defence of Fort M ’ Henry , ” from which “ The Star-Spangled Banner ” was adapted .
The poem , written by Key on Sept. 14 , 1814 , after he witnessed the bombardment of an American fort by British ships in Baltimore Harbor , includes the lines : “ No refuge could save the hireling and slave/From the terror of flight , or the gloom of the grave.
” Scholars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some read the words as a reference to escaped slaves fighting alongside the British , who promised to grant freedom to Black soldiers in exchange for their service .
Historian Jason Johnson has called “ The Star-Spangled Banner ” “ a diss track to Black people who had the audacity to fight for their freedom.
” Marc Ferris , the author of `` Star-Spangled Banner : The Unlikely Story of America ’ s National Anthem , '' has written that Key was likely using the term “ slave ” more loosely , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s loyal subjects , including British troops — as contrasted with free patriot Americans.
” Others argue that this context is academic : The only part of the poem that anyone knows , that anyone ever sings , is the first stanza , the one that begins “ O say , can you see.
” But there are also arguments against “ The Star-Spangled Banner ” on aesthetic grounds , criticisms that have dogged the anthem for decades .
For one thing , it ’ s not an especially American song .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with syntax that frustrates the efforts of normal human Americans to follow along — to deduce who or what , exactly , is gleaming and streaming .
As for the music : It 's as British as beef Wellington .
Key ’ s poem was set to “ To Anacreon in Heaven , ” the anthem of a London gentleman ’ s club , composed by John Stafford Smith sometime in the late 1760s or early 1770s .
The result is a tune that is charmless and difficult to sing , which meanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big climactic cry — the money-shot high note on “ O ’ er the land of the freeeeee ” — that defeats 99 % of vocalists who attempt it .
“ It ’ s a terrible piece of music , ” said Frank Sinatra in 1969 .
“ If you took a poll among singers , it would lose a hundred to nothing.
” A song with words few people understand , which fewer can sing , whose sound and spirit bear no relation to our catchy , witty , unpretentious homegrown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to hear when we “ rise to honor America ” ?
In recent weeks , suggestions for alternative national anthems have circulated online .
The writer and critic Kevin Powell proposed John Lennon ’ s “ Imagine.
” ( Powell called it “ the most beautiful , unifying , all-people , all-backgrounds-together kind of song you could have.
” ) “ Imagine ” is less stodgy than “ The Star-Spangled Banner , ” but it ’ s no less British , and I ’ m not sure that its drippy utopianism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a world with “ no possessions ” — strikes the apt note .
Then there are the usual suspects , from the canon of American civic-secular hymns .
“ Lift Every Voice and Sing , ” the poem written in 1900 by the Black writer and activist James Weldon Johnson and set to music five years later by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson , has an impeccable pedigree and centers the Black experience in the national story .
( The Undefeated website reported that the song will be performed before each game during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) But like “ The Star-Spangled Banner ” — like , for that matter , “ America the Beautiful ” — “ Lift Every Voice ” is out of step with the 21st century , with a prim melody redolent of Victorian light opera and a lyric sheet full of antiquated poesy .
Irving Berlin ’ s “ God Bless America ” has more vernacular punch , but its uncomplicated patriotism ( “ God bless America / Land that I love / Stand beside her / And guide her ” ) doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Land Is Your Land , ” written in 1940 by Woody Guthrie as a response to “ God Bless America , ” is a favorite of many who lean left .
Yet Guthrie ’ s song has its own blind spots : to indigenous Americans , the refrain “ This land belongs to you and me ” may sound less like an egalitarian vision than a settler-colonialist manifesto .
Nope , none of these songs will do .
At a moment when the United States is in the grip of multiple crises — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ravaged by a pandemic , with a crumbling economy and a faltering democracy — the very idea of a national anthem , a hymn to the glory of country , feels like a crude relic , another monument that may warrant tearing down .
But if we must have an anthem , it should be far different than the one we ’ ve got now , positing another kind of patriotism , an alternative idea of America and Americanness .
It would also be neat if it was , you know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could sing without crashing into an o ’ er or a thee , or being asked to pole vault across octaves .
In fact , there is such a song .
The song is “ Lean on Me.
” Bill Withers ’ 1972 soul ballad may seem like a curious choice .
It has none of the qualities we associate with national anthems .
It ’ s a modest song that puts on no airs .
It speaks in plain musical language , without a trace of bombast , in a tidy arrangement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It doesn ’ t march to a martial beat or rise to grand crescendos .
The lyrics hold no pastoral images of fruited plains or oceans white with foam , no high-minded invocations of liberty or God .
“ Lean on Me ” is a deeply American song — but it ’ s not , explicitly at least , a song about America .
Yet it has long been a kind of national anthem .
“ Lean on Me ” is one of just a handful of songs to have reached No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in two different versions .
( Withers ’ original hit No .
1 in 1972 ; 15 years later , Club Nouveau took a spunky electro-R & B version to the top of the Hot 100 . )
It is surely among the most widely sung American songs of the past half-century .
It is performed by church choirs , by school choirs , by college a capella groups , by street-corner doo-wop quintets , by YouTube ’ s bedroom balladeers , by the United States Navy Band .
It ’ s ecumenical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and political affiliations .
It has been covered by Stevie Wonder and Al Green and Clara Ward , by Jimmy Buffett and Bon Jovi , by Shawn Mendes and Nick Jonas .
Jazz pianists have swung it , Imagine Dragons have mauled it .
It ’ s been sung on `` Empire '' and on `` Glee '' ; it was the theme song to a Morgan Freeman movie called , yes , `` Lean on Me . ''
Hillary Clinton belted it out on `` Saturday Night Live , '' in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kind of song that gets dragged out on heady occasions , to impart a sense of significance and solemnity .
It was performed by Mary J. Blige at the Lincoln Memorial , in a concert marking President Obama ’ s inauguration .
Sheryl Crow , Keith Urban , and , I regret to report , Kid Rock , performed it in 2010 , on the “ Hope for Haiti Now ” earthquake relief telethon .
Garth Brooks sang it , after a fashion , in a medley with “ America the Beautiful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gala whose attendees included four former U.S. presidents .

From Yahoo News, here is Rosen's argument:
The Francis Scott Key monument in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is one of those old-fashioned pieces of public art that, shall we say, lays it on thick. It is imposing and fussy, a 52-foot-tall chunk of travertine and marble loaded up with classical trimmings. There’s a fluted colonnade, four eagles with majestically fanned-out wings, swags and stars, and, at the very top of the big pile, the figure of Columbia, the traditional female personification of the United States, clutching an American flag.
In the center of the monument is the main attraction, a bronze statue of Key, the Washington, D.C., lawyer who, 206 years ago, wrote the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner” to commemorate the American victory in the Battle of Baltimore, in the War of 1812. Key is captured in a heroic pose: enthroned on a big chair with pen in hand, looking every inch the sort of poetaster who would come up with lines like “O’er the ramparts we watched / Were so gallantly streaming.”
At least this is how the monument used to appear. Today, Francis Scott Key is no longer in Golden Gate Park. On June 20, protesters lassoed the statue with ropes, heaved and hoed, and down came Key, somersaulting off the pediment, head o’er heels. Key was a slave owner, like many of the historical personages whose statues have been defaced and destroyed in the Black Lives Matter uprising that followed the May 25 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. But it was also Key’s role as a songwriter — his famous ode to the land of the free and the home of the brave — that made him a target for protesters.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” had been a fixture of American life for more than a century prior to May 4, 1931, when President Hoover signed a bill establishing the song as the national anthem. The tradition of playing the song prior to sporting events dates to World War II; after the war, NFL commissioner Elmer Layden formalized the practice, declaring “the playing of the national anthem should be as much a part of every game as the kickoff.” This custom has of course become a flash point in the culture wars in recent years, since the 2016 NFL preseason, when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the playing of the song. Kaepernick pointed out that he was making a statement about racial injustice, not protesting the “The Star-Spangled Banner” itself. But now, it seems, the wave of reckoning and revisionism that is sweeping the country may have come for the national anthem.
In the days that followed the toppling of the Golden Gate Park statue, viral posts on social media decried “The Star-Spangled Banner” as a racist song. Major League Soccer announced that the anthem would not be played before games when its season resumed in July following the coronavirus lockdown. A high school junior in New York City made news by refusing to record the song for her school’s socially distanced “virtual graduation.” A petition posted on Change.org advocated dropping the song as the national anthem, pointing to “elitist, sexist, and racist” verses in Key’s poem, “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” from which “The Star-Spangled Banner” was adapted. The poem, written by Key on Sept. 14, 1814, after he witnessed the bombardment of an American fort by British ships in Baltimore Harbor, includes the lines: “No refuge could save the hireling and slave/From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave.”
Scholars disagree about the meaning of this couplet. Some read the words as a reference to escaped slaves fighting alongside the British, who promised to grant freedom to Black soldiers in exchange for their service. Historian Jason Johnson has called “The Star-Spangled Banner” “a diss track to Black people who had the audacity to fight for their freedom.” Marc Ferris, the author of "Star-Spangled Banner: The Unlikely Story of America’s National Anthem," has written that Key was likely using the term “slave” more loosely, to describe “all of the monarch’s loyal subjects, including British troops — as contrasted with free patriot Americans.” Others argue that this context is academic: The only part of the poem that anyone knows, that anyone ever sings, is the first stanza, the one that begins “O say, can you see.”
But there are also arguments against “The Star-Spangled Banner” on aesthetic grounds, criticisms that have dogged the anthem for decades. For one thing, it’s not an especially American song. Its lyrics are ornate and Anglophile, with syntax that frustrates the efforts of normal human Americans to follow along — to deduce who or what, exactly, is gleaming and streaming.
As for the music: It's as British as beef Wellington. Key’s poem was set to “To Anacreon in Heaven,” the anthem of a London gentleman’s club, composed by John Stafford Smith sometime in the late 1760s or early 1770s. The result is a tune that is charmless and difficult to sing, which meanders through wan melodic passages en route to a big climactic cry — the money-shot high note on “O’er the land of the freeeeee” — that defeats 99% of vocalists who attempt it.
“It’s a terrible piece of music,” said Frank Sinatra in 1969. “If you took a poll among singers, it would lose a hundred to nothing.”
A song with words few people understand, which fewer can sing, whose sound and spirit bear no relation to our catchy, witty, unpretentious homegrown musical forms: Is this really what we want to hear when we “rise to honor America”?
In recent weeks, suggestions for alternative national anthems have circulated online. The writer and critic Kevin Powell proposed John Lennon’s “Imagine.” (Powell called it “the most beautiful, unifying, all-people, all-backgrounds-together kind of song you could have.”) “Imagine” is less stodgy than “The Star-Spangled Banner,” but it’s no less British, and I’m not sure that its drippy utopianism — a multi-millionaire’s daydream of a world with “no possessions” — strikes the apt note.
Then there are the usual suspects, from the canon of American civic-secular hymns. “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the poem written in 1900 by the Black writer and activist James Weldon Johnson and set to music five years later by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson, has an impeccable pedigree and centers the Black experience in the national story. (The Undefeated website reported that the song will be performed before each game during the opening week of the season.) But like “The Star-Spangled Banner” — like, for that matter, “America the Beautiful” — “Lift Every Voice” is out of step with the 21st century, with a prim melody redolent of Victorian light opera and a lyric sheet full of antiquated poesy. Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” has more vernacular punch, but its uncomplicated patriotism (“God bless America / Land that I love / Stand beside her / And guide her”) doesn’t wash in 2020. “This Land Is Your Land,” written in 1940 by Woody Guthrie as a response to “God Bless America,” is a favorite of many who lean left. Yet Guthrie’s song has its own blind spots: to indigenous Americans, the refrain “This land belongs to you and me” may sound less like an egalitarian vision than a settler-colonialist manifesto.
Nope, none of these songs will do. At a moment when the United States is in the grip of multiple crises — convulsed by debates over racism and injustice, ravaged by a pandemic, with a crumbling economy and a faltering democracy — the very idea of a national anthem, a hymn to the glory of country, feels like a crude relic, another monument that may warrant tearing down. But if we must have an anthem, it should be far different than the one we’ve got now, positing another kind of patriotism, an alternative idea of America and Americanness. It would also be neat if it was, you know, a decent song, which a citizen could sing without crashing into an o’er or a thee, or being asked to pole vault across octaves.
In fact, there is such a song. The song is “Lean on Me.”
Bill Withers’ 1972 soul ballad may seem like a curious choice. It has none of the qualities we associate with national anthems. It’s a modest song that puts on no airs. It speaks in plain musical language, without a trace of bombast, in a tidy arrangement that unfolds over a few basic chords. It doesn’t march to a martial beat or rise to grand crescendos. The lyrics hold no pastoral images of fruited plains or oceans white with foam, no high-minded invocations of liberty or God. “Lean on Me” is a deeply American song — but it’s not, explicitly at least, a song about America.
Yet it has long been a kind of national anthem. “Lean on Me” is one of just a handful of songs to have reached No. 1 on the Billboard pop charts in two different versions. (Withers’ original hit No. 1 in 1972; 15 years later, Club Nouveau took a spunky electro-R&B version to the top of the Hot 100.) It is surely among the most widely sung American songs of the past half-century. It is performed by church choirs, by school choirs, by college a capella groups, by street-corner doo-wop quintets, by YouTube’s bedroom balladeers, by the United States Navy Band. It’s ecumenical, transcending genres and eras and generations and political affiliations. It has been covered by Stevie Wonder and Al Green and Clara Ward, by Jimmy Buffett and Bon Jovi, by Shawn Mendes and Nick Jonas. Jazz pianists have swung it, Imagine Dragons have mauled it. It’s been sung on "Empire" and on "Glee"; it was the theme song to a Morgan Freeman movie called, yes, "Lean on Me." Hillary Clinton belted it out on "Saturday Night Live," in a duet with Kate McKinnon.
It is the kind of song that gets dragged out on heady occasions, to impart a sense of significance and solemnity. It was performed by Mary J. Blige at the Lincoln Memorial, in a concert marking President Obama’s inauguration. Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, and, I regret to report, Kid Rock, performed it in 2010, on the “Hope for Haiti Now” earthquake relief telethon. Garth Brooks sang it, after a fashion, in a medley with “America the Beautiful,” at a 2011 Kennedy Center gala whose attendees included four former U.S. presidents.


welovetrump--2020-07-14--Democrat Mayor and Wife Indicted on 14 Counts of Wire Fraud

MOSS POINT , Miss .
( WLOX ) - Moss Point Mayor Mario King and his wife Natasha appeared in federal court Friday morning , where they were arraigned on over a dozen charges of wire fraud .
After the hearing , which was closed to the public , the Kings walked out of the courthouse in downtown Gulfport , following behind his three-person legal team .
“ We look forward to our day in court , ” said the mayor when asked for a comment .
Before climbing into a BMW528i , the mayor added : “ Litigation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the way it should be used.
” The 14-count indictment was filed on April 28 , 2020 , alleging that Mario and Natasha solicited funds beginning in 2018 from a benefit gala but did not use that money for its intended purpose , which was to support a mental health program for Moss Point School District .
The benefit gala was being hosted by the King ’ s personal business , Rejuvenate LLC , which they formed together in April 2018 .
Authorities allege in the indictment that the business ’ bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than monthly statements until December 2018 , when the couple announced plans for the benefit gala .
The invitation to the event , which was to be held on March 23 , 2019 , stated that the “ gala honors and supports organizations that are making a difference for the mental health community .
Proceeds support the efforts of mental health in the City of Moss Point with a focus on the Moss Point School District , converting spaces into a therapeutic and innovative learning environment.
” Just weeks after the gala took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Natasha King allegedly used a business credit card from Rejuvenate to make a $ 2,000 down payment on a Cadillac XTC .
The indictment says she returned that vehicle 12 days later and soon after received a refund for the down payment , which she deposited into the couple ’ s personal checking account .
On April 16 , 2019 , the Kings reportedly paid off two credit cards - one in the amount of $ 270 and the other for $ 475 - which were used to purchase a Biewer terrier in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credit card payments was also was taken from gala funds deposited in the Rejuvenate bank account , states the indictment .
On May 1 , 2019 , Natasha reportedly withdrew $ 1,000 from the Rejuvenate business account that contained the proceeds from the gala .
That same day , the indictment says she took another $ 2,700 in cash from the couple ’ s joint checking account , which included $ 2,000 that was raised at the gala .
On May 12 , 2019 , the indictment said Natasha purchased a Volvo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Authorities say $ 3,000 of that money was from the gala ’ s proceeds .
Prior to the gala , the couple appeared together on WLOX television and described the event , saying that funds from the gala would be used to create safe spaces for mental health counseling in the city ’ s school district .
However , state and federal agencies allege that the Kings used some of the money to pay for the gala and did not give the remaining proceeds to the school district .
Some of the funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Gala , but the remaining proceeds did not go to the Moss Point School District , said authorities .
Instead , it is alleged that the couple spent the money on various personal expenses , including the down payment on a new car , cash withdrawals , and paying credit card charges that were used to purchase a pet .

MOSS POINT, Miss. (WLOX) - Moss Point Mayor Mario King and his wife Natasha appeared in federal court Friday morning, where they were arraigned on over a dozen charges of wire fraud.
After the hearing, which was closed to the public, the Kings walked out of the courthouse in downtown Gulfport, following behind his three-person legal team.
“We look forward to our day in court,” said the mayor when asked for a comment.
Before climbing into a BMW528i, the mayor added: “Litigation is a tool that I believe everybody should use the way it should be used.”
The 14-count indictment was filed on April 28, 2020, alleging that Mario and Natasha solicited funds beginning in 2018 from a benefit gala but did not use that money for its intended purpose, which was to support a mental health program for Moss Point School District.
The benefit gala was being hosted by the King’s personal business, Rejuvenate LLC, which they formed together in April 2018. Authorities allege in the indictment that the business’ bank account had no activity on it other than monthly statements until December 2018, when the couple announced plans for the benefit gala.
The invitation to the event, which was to be held on March 23, 2019, stated that the “gala honors and supports organizations that are making a difference for the mental health community. Proceeds support the efforts of mental health in the City of Moss Point with a focus on the Moss Point School District, converting spaces into a therapeutic and innovative learning environment.”
Just weeks after the gala took place on April 8, 2019, Natasha King allegedly used a business credit card from Rejuvenate to make a $2,000 down payment on a Cadillac XTC. The indictment says she returned that vehicle 12 days later and soon after received a refund for the down payment, which she deposited into the couple’s personal checking account.
On April 16, 2019, the Kings reportedly paid off two credit cards - one in the amount of $270 and the other for $475 - which were used to purchase a Biewer terrier in December 2018. The money for those credit card payments was also was taken from gala funds deposited in the Rejuvenate bank account, states the indictment.
On May 1, 2019, Natasha reportedly withdrew $1,000 from the Rejuvenate business account that contained the proceeds from the gala. That same day, the indictment says she took another $2,700 in cash from the couple’s joint checking account, which included $2,000 that was raised at the gala.
On May 12, 2019, the indictment said Natasha purchased a Volvo, paying $3,700 down on it. Authorities say $3,000 of that money was from the gala’s proceeds.
Prior to the gala, the couple appeared together on WLOX television and described the event, saying that funds from the gala would be used to create safe spaces for mental health counseling in the city’s school district.
However, state and federal agencies allege that the Kings used some of the money to pay for the gala and did not give the remaining proceeds to the school district.
Some of the funds were used to pay for the cost of the Gala, but the remaining proceeds did not go to the Moss Point School District, said authorities.
Instead, it is alleged that the couple spent the money on various personal expenses, including the down payment on a new car, cash withdrawals, and paying credit card charges that were used to purchase a pet.


welovetrump--2020-07-14--St. Louis Couple That Defended Property Against BLM Protesters Expects to Be Indicted

Fortunately , it looks like the couple is n't alone in their fight .
Fox News reports that GOP lawmakers have submitted a letter to Attorney General Bill Barr in support of the couple : Twelve Republican members of Congress have written to U.S. Attorney General William Barr , arguing in defense of the Second Amendment rights of a Missouri couple whose rifle and handgun are now in the possession of local authorities .
Mark and Patricia McCloskey , who made national headlines in late June when they took up arms to defend their home from protesters who stormed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their rifle seized Friday when local police executed a search warrant .
Then on Saturday , a lawyer -- who represented the couple until recently – surrendered to police a handgun that Patricia McCloskey held during the June incident , FOX 2 of St. Louis reported .
Attorney Al Watkins said he had taken possession of the handgun while still representing the couple , in anticipation of using it as evidence in a possible court appearance , FOX 2 reported .
“ It was my duty and obligation to make sure that evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defense of Mr. and/or Mrs. McCloskey in the event , in what I believe the highly unlikely event , of any charges being brought , ” Watkins said , according to KSDK-TV of St. Louis .
Watkins said the gun was “ inoperable ” prior to the June incident , and Patricia McCloskey knew it was inoperable .
But he said there were some potential legal issues with the way Patricia McCloskey held her weapon versus the way Mark McCloskey held his , making the weapon 's condition an issue , KSDK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the McCloskeys have faced scrutiny from the St. Louis Police Department and from the city ’ s circuit attorney , Kimberly Gardner , who have been investigating the incident – but there was no indication the couple were facing any charges .
In a statement June 29 , Gardner wrote that protesters had First Amendment rights that needed to be protected from “ intimidation or threat of deadly force , ” and said any such behavior would “ not be tolerated.
” In their letter to Barr , dated Friday , the dozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the couple would have “ a chilling effect ” on an American populace whose rights to bear arms are guaranteed in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution .
“ At this crucial time in history , our nation needs the Department of Justice to exert strong leadership to ensure that none of our constitutional protections are eroded by mob rule , ” the lawmakers wrote in part to Barr .
“ Charges against this couple will have a chilling effect on the entire nation , sending the message that American citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves at their own homes.
” Signing the letter were U.S. Reps. Louis Gohmert of Texas ; Mo Brooks of Alabama ; Greg Steube of Florida ; Brian Babin of Texas ; Paul Gosar of Arizona ; Alex Mooney of West Virginia ; Andy Harris of Maryland ; Ted Budd of North Carolina ; Steve King of Iowa ; Steve Watkins of Kansas ; Jody Hice of Georgia ; and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania .

It’s just a never-ending story for the poor St. Louis couple that defended their home from BLM protesters.
First, the liberal district attorney announced she’d be investigating the couple.
Then, the police come to the couple’s home and confiscate their guns.
Now, the couple says that it’s very likely they’ll be indicted!
Here’s the story from the Daily Mail:
A St Louis lawyer who aimed an assault rifle Black Lives Matter demonstrators outside his mansion has been told he and his wife will be ‘indicted shortly’. Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who are personal injury lawyers, were caught on video brandishing guns as demonstrators walked past their Renaissance palazzo-style home on June 28 while on the way to protest outside Mayor Lyda Krewson’s house. Last week, authorities searched the couple’s home and seized Mr McCloskey’s AR-15 assault rifle. Arrangements were also made to turn over the handgun wielded by Mrs McCloskey. The couple’s attorney Joel Schwartz admitted afterwards that ‘charges are more likely than they were two days ago’. And on Monday, Mr McCloskey, 61, told Fox News host Tucker Carlson that Mr Schwartz had told them they are likely to be indicted. He said: ‘My attorney advised me not to be on the show tonight because the rumour is that we are going to be indicted shortly.’ Speaking critically of Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, he went on, ‘this is the same circuit attorney that released 35 of the protesters that torched and looted downtown St Louis. But now she wants to indict me. ‘I didn’t shoot anybody, I just held my ground, protected my house. I’m sitting here on television tonight instead of dead or putting out the smouldering embers of my home.’ Mr McCloskey went on to heap praise on the police, even though they recently searched his home. ‘They didn’t want to have to be there,’ he said.
Watch Mr. McCloskey’s appearance on Tucker Carlson’s show right here:


welovetrump--2020-07-14--UFC Star Masvidal Supports Goya: Actions…Speak Louder Than The WOKE Mob!

Forbes covered the star mixed martial artist 's defense of the latino food company : Popular mixed martial arts fighter Jorge “ Gamebred ” Masvidal was back in fighting shape for his UFC 251 matchup against Kamaru Usman on Saturday night .
Despite his unanimous decision loss to Usman , the outspoken athlete made other news this week by fighting for Goya Foods against calls for a boycott of the company .
Last week , following comments by Goya Foods CEO Bob Unanue that many took as overly complimentary of President Trump , critics of Mr. Unanue called on consumers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At an event that was part of the Hispanic Prosperity Initiative , an executive order signed by President Trump in order to improve access to educational and economic opportunities , Mr. Unanue announced the donation of millions of pounds of food by Goya to support food banks in the U.S .
While doing so , the CEO also heaped praise on the President .
“ We ’ re all truly blessed at the same time to have a leader like President Trump , who is a builder , ” Unanue said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ builder .
And we pray .
We pray for our leadership , our president , and we pray for our country , that we will continue to prosper and to grow .
Reaction by critics was swift , with many commentators on social media questioning why a Spanish-owned company would effusively praise a President who many feel has offensively targeted Latinx Americans and Spanish-speaking immigrants in a myriad of ways .
Hashtags such as # BoycottGoya and # Goyaway have popped up over the internet and numerous elected officials , commentators and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As an example , former Democratic president candidate and housing secretary in the Obama administration , Julian Castro , tweeted a message in support of the boycott .
“ @ GoyaFoods has been a staple of so many Latino households for generations .
Now their CEO , Bob Unanue , is praising a president who villainizes and maliciously attacks Latinos for political gain .
Americans should think twice before buying their products .
# Goyaway ” In contrast , the 35-year-old , Masvidal , who is an exceptionally popular fighter in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighters gracing the cover of the popular new EA Sports video game , UFC 4 , took a different approach .
In pair of Tweets on Saturday , Masvidol expressed support for Goya Foods , taking aim at the those calling for the boycott of the Spanish foods company and linking to a story about Goya donating a million pounds of food to at the time of 2018 ’ s deadly Hurricane Maria that devastated Puerto Rico .
“ Actions of @ GoyaFoods speak louder than the # woke mob .
My people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that don ’ t know .
They ’ ve been helping our people when we needed it most .
”

Forbes covered the star mixed martial artist's defense of the latino food company:
Popular mixed martial arts fighter Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal was back in fighting shape for his UFC 251 matchup against Kamaru Usman on Saturday night. Despite his unanimous decision loss to Usman, the outspoken athlete made other news this week by fighting for Goya Foods against calls for a boycott of the company.
Last week, following comments by Goya Foods CEO Bob Unanue that many took as overly complimentary of President Trump, critics of Mr. Unanue called on consumers to boycott the popular Spanish food company. At an event that was part of the Hispanic Prosperity Initiative, an executive order signed by President Trump in order to improve access to educational and economic opportunities, Mr. Unanue announced the donation of millions of pounds of food by Goya to support food banks in the U.S. While doing so, the CEO also heaped praise on the President.
“We’re all truly blessed at the same time to have a leader like President Trump, who is a builder,” Unanue said. “And so we have an incredible builder. And we pray. We pray for our leadership, our president, and we pray for our country, that we will continue to prosper and to grow.
Reaction by critics was swift, with many commentators on social media questioning why a Spanish-owned company would effusively praise a President who many feel has offensively targeted Latinx Americans and Spanish-speaking immigrants in a myriad of ways. Hashtags such as #BoycottGoya and #Goyaway have popped up over the internet and numerous elected officials, commentators and others have been quick to join the fray. As an example, former Democratic president candidate and housing secretary in the Obama administration, Julian Castro, tweeted a message in support of the boycott.
“@GoyaFoods has been a staple of so many Latino households for generations. Now their CEO, Bob Unanue, is praising a president who villainizes and maliciously attacks Latinos for political gain. Americans should think twice before buying their products. #Goyaway”
In contrast, the 35-year-old, Masvidal, who is an exceptionally popular fighter in the UFC, and is one of two fighters gracing the cover of the popular new EA Sports video game, UFC 4, took a different approach. In pair of Tweets on Saturday, Masvidol expressed support for Goya Foods, taking aim at the those calling for the boycott of the Spanish foods company and linking to a story about Goya donating a million pounds of food to at the time of 2018’s deadly Hurricane Maria that devastated Puerto Rico.
“Actions of @GoyaFoods speak louder than the #woke mob. My people don’t get influenced by those that don’t know. They’ve been helping our people when we needed it most.”


welovetrump--2020-07-14--Federal Government Resumes Executions, Carries Out First One in 17 Years

It only makes sense that if you ’ re convicted of heinous crimes , like first-degree murder , then the government has the right to end your life .
Yet for the past 17 years , the federal government hasn ’ t carried out any executions !
Instead , we ’ ve been keeping these criminals alive on the taxpayer ’ s dime .
Well , President Trump has ordered an end to that .
He ’ s resumed federal executions and the first one in 17 years took place today .
The Associated Press reports on the execution carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday carried out its first execution in almost two decades , killing by lethal injection a man convicted of murdering an Arkansas family in a 1990s plot to build a whites-only nation in the Pacific Northwest .
The execution of Daniel Lewis Lee came over the objection of the victims ’ relatives and following days of legal delays , reviving the debate over capital punishment during a time of widespread social unrest .
And the Trump administration ’ s determination to proceed with executions added a new chapter to the national conversation about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 presidential election .
Just before he died at the federal prison in Terre Haute , Indiana , Lee , professed his innocence .
“ I ’ ve made a lot of mistakes in my life , but I ’ m not a murderer.
” said Lee , 47 , of Yukon , Oklahoma .
“ You ’ re killing an innocent man.
” The government is scheduled to execute two more men this week , including Wesley Ira Purkey on Wednesday for the killing of a Kansas City teenager in 1998 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Purkey , who suffers from dementia , has a greater chance of avoiding that fate because of his mental state .
The decision by the Bureau of Prisons to move forward with executions — the first since 2003 — has drawn scrutiny from civil rights groups and the wider public .
Relatives of Lee ’ s victims sued to try to halt it , citing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic , which has killed more than 135,000 people in the United States and is ravaging prisons nationwide .
Critics argued the government was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One of Lee ’ s lawyers , Ruth Friedman , said it was “ beyond shameful that the government , in the end , carried out this execution in haste.
” But Attorney General William Barr said , “ Lee finally faced the justice he deserved .
The American people have made the considered choice to permit capital punishment for the most egregious federal crimes , and justice was done today in implementing the sentence for Lee ’ s horrific offenses.
” Attorney General Bill Barr couldn ’ t have said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reactions on Twitter to the execution :

It only makes sense that if you’re convicted of heinous crimes, like first-degree murder, then the government has the right to end your life.
Yet for the past 17 years, the federal government hasn’t carried out any executions!
Instead, we’ve been keeping these criminals alive on the taxpayer’s dime.
Well, President Trump has ordered an end to that. He’s resumed federal executions and the first one in 17 years took place today.
The Associated Press reports on the execution carried out today:
The federal government on Tuesday carried out its first execution in almost two decades, killing by lethal injection a man convicted of murdering an Arkansas family in a 1990s plot to build a whites-only nation in the Pacific Northwest. The execution of Daniel Lewis Lee came over the objection of the victims’ relatives and following days of legal delays, reviving the debate over capital punishment during a time of widespread social unrest. And the Trump administration’s determination to proceed with executions added a new chapter to the national conversation about criminal justice reform in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election. Just before he died at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, Lee, professed his innocence. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I’m not a murderer.” said Lee, 47, of Yukon, Oklahoma. “You’re killing an innocent man.” The government is scheduled to execute two more men this week, including Wesley Ira Purkey on Wednesday for the killing of a Kansas City teenager in 1998. But legal experts say the 68-year-old Purkey, who suffers from dementia, has a greater chance of avoiding that fate because of his mental state. The decision by the Bureau of Prisons to move forward with executions — the first since 2003 — has drawn scrutiny from civil rights groups and the wider public. Relatives of Lee’s victims sued to try to halt it, citing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 135,000 people in the United States and is ravaging prisons nationwide. Critics argued the government was creating a manufactured urgency for political gain. One of Lee’s lawyers, Ruth Friedman, said it was “beyond shameful that the government, in the end, carried out this execution in haste.” But Attorney General William Barr said, “Lee finally faced the justice he deserved. The American people have made the considered choice to permit capital punishment for the most egregious federal crimes, and justice was done today in implementing the sentence for Lee’s horrific offenses.”
Attorney General Bill Barr couldn’t have said it any better!
Justice was indeed served today.
Look at some of the reactions on Twitter to the execution:


welovetrump--2020-07-14--HE’S BACK:  Obama Makes Claim that Mail-In Voting “Shouldn’t Be a Partisan Issue”

Republicans are right to have their concerns about mass mail-in voting .
Just read this story from NBC where California recently tossed over 100,000 mail-in ballots : More than 100,000 mail-in ballots were rejected by California election officials during the March presidential primary , according to data obtained by The Associated Press that highlights a glaring gap in the state ’ s effort to ensure every vote is counted .
With the coronavirus pandemic raging , California is part of a growing number of states increasing mail-in balloting to avoid crowds at polling places .
President Donald Trump is among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while supporters say they are just as reliable as polling places and offer greater flexibility for voters .
But while polling places include workers who can assist people who have questions about filling out ballots , a voter doesn ’ t have support at home and so problems can arise .
The California secretary of state ’ s election data obtained by the AP showed 102,428 mail-in ballots were disqualified in the state ’ s 58 counties , about 1.5 % of the nearly 7 million mail-in ballots returned .
That percentage is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the overall number is the highest in a statewide election since 2010 .
Two years ago , the national average of rejected mail ballots in the general election was about 1.4 % and in the 2016 presidential election year it was 1 % , according to a U.S. Election Assistance Commission study .
The most common problem , by far , in California was missing the deadline for the ballot to be mailed and arrive .
To count in the election , ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Statewide , 70,330 ballots missed those marks .
Another 27,525 either didn ’ t have a signature , or the signature didn ’ t match the one on record for the voter .
Kim Alexander , president of the nonpartisan California Voter Foundation that seeks to improve elections , called the uncounted figure discouraging .
“ The only thing worse than people not voting is people attempting to vote and having their ballot uncounted , ” she said .
The tally of nullified votes “ can make a difference in a close contest @ @

Anytime Democrats get involved with how an election is conducted, you should be scratching your head wondering what their motive is.
Take mail-in voting for example.
Democrats would like to see mass amounts of ballots mailed unsecurely to voters.
And if you ask any questions about how this may create opportunities for fraud, you’re deemed a “vote suppressor.”
Just take a look at this tweet Obama sent out recently about mail-in voting:


welovetrump--2020-07-14--Charges Dropped Against Dozens of Violent Portland Protesters

We ’ ve seen reports of radical protesters , often part of BLM or ANTIFA , spreading violence across the country .
They ’ ve taken to setting buildings on fire , looting stores , and pulling down any statue they can find .
And unfortunately , in many cases , they ’ re not facing any consequences for their actions .
According to KGW news in Portland , dozens of violent protesters have had charges against them dropped and their cases dismissed : Dozens of protesters arrested during mass demonstrations in downtown Portland have had their criminal charges dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police and court records shows the Multnomah County District Attorney ’ s office dropped charges against at least 59 of the roughly 400 protesters arrested since mass demonstrations started in Portland in late May .
Most of the dropped charges were misdemeanor offenses such as interfering with a police officer , disorderly conduct and resisting arrest .
Nine cases dismissed by prosecutors involved more serious felony charges , including riot , arson and theft in the first degree .
In one case , Portland police arrested a 25-year-old protester for allegedly setting fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 30 , the second night of large-scale protests in the city .
The Portland resident was charged with arson , criminal mischief and riot .
KGW is not naming the person because charges have been dismissed .
A Multnomah County prosecutor described in a probable cause affidavit how the person bragged about using a Molotov cocktail to start the fire and talked about plans to go “ out on another mission and the goal would be to set another fire.
” When confronted by detectives , the person admitted being present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , according to the court documents .
A Multnomah County grand jury heard evidence in the case and declined to return an indictment .
All charges were dropped .
It is not clear why other cases were closed .
It doesn ’ t come as a shock that Portland is facing such extensive and violent protests .
Just take a look at the tweet the city ’ s mayor sent out in response to the protests :

We’ve seen reports of radical protesters, often part of BLM or ANTIFA, spreading violence across the country.
They’ve taken to setting buildings on fire, looting stores, and pulling down any statue they can find.
And unfortunately, in many cases, they’re not facing any consequences for their actions.
According to KGW news in Portland, dozens of violent protesters have had charges against them dropped and their cases dismissed:
Dozens of protesters arrested during mass demonstrations in downtown Portland have had their criminal charges dropped and cases closed. KGW analysis of police and court records shows the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office dropped charges against at least 59 of the roughly 400 protesters arrested since mass demonstrations started in Portland in late May. Most of the dropped charges were misdemeanor offenses such as interfering with a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Nine cases dismissed by prosecutors involved more serious felony charges, including riot, arson and theft in the first degree. In one case, Portland police arrested a 25-year-old protester for allegedly setting fire to a Chase Bank in downtown Portland on May 30, the second night of large-scale protests in the city. The Portland resident was charged with arson, criminal mischief and riot. KGW is not naming the person because charges have been dismissed. A Multnomah County prosecutor described in a probable cause affidavit how the person bragged about using a Molotov cocktail to start the fire and talked about plans to go “out on another mission and the goal would be to set another fire.” When confronted by detectives, the person admitted being present when the fire started but denied setting it, according to the court documents. A Multnomah County grand jury heard evidence in the case and declined to return an indictment. All charges were dropped. It is not clear why other cases were closed.
It doesn’t come as a shock that Portland is facing such extensive and violent protests.
Just take a look at the tweet the city’s mayor sent out in response to the protests:


welovetrump--2020-07-14--Video: Hillary Clinton Suggests that Trump Won’t Leave White House if He Loses Election

The former Democratic presidential nominee appeared virtually for an interview on what Noah has been calling “ The Daily Social Distancing Show ” amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Their friendly interview quickly turned to the topic of voter suppression , with Clinton taking a jab at Republican leaders , alleging they ’ re trying to stifle votes from people they believe will vote blue in November .
“ Republicans have two prongs to their strategy to try to win , ” she explained .
“ The first is to try to prevent as many people who they think won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So make the lines really long where young people vote or African-Americans vote or Hispanics vote .
Try to make vote-by-mail as difficult as possible .
Claim it ’ s fraudulent when indeed it ’ s not .
In fact , that ’ s how Donald Trump votes and everybody who knows about vote-by-mail understands that.
” With that , Noah asked if she believes President Trump , who has repeatedly said in the past that voter fraud is an issue with voting by mail , will attempt to use the vast number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November due to the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to delegitimize the election and refuse to yield power in the event he loses .
“ I think it is a fair point to raise as to whether or not , if he loses , he ’ s going to go quietly or not .
We have to be ready for that , ” she cautioned .
“ But there have been so many academic studies and other analyses that point out that it ’ s just an inaccurate , fraudulent claim .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton added : “ All the games that are played and all the photo IDs and any kind of restriction that can be imposed to try to keep the vote down in places that aren ’ t going to vote for Republicans , that ’ s the real danger to the integrity of our election .
That combined with misinformation and disinformation and all the online shenanigans that we saw in 2016.
” Clinton concluded her thoughts on voter suppression and Trump potentially refusing to yield power by saying that , above all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honest election .

Here's more from Fox News:
The former Democratic presidential nominee appeared virtually for an interview on what Noah has been calling “The Daily Social Distancing Show” amid the coronavirus pandemic. Their friendly interview quickly turned to the topic of voter suppression, with Clinton taking a jab at Republican leaders, alleging they’re trying to stifle votes from people they believe will vote blue in November.
“Republicans have two prongs to their strategy to try to win,” she explained. “The first is to try to prevent as many people who they think won’t vote for them from voting. So make the lines really long where young people vote or African-Americans vote or Hispanics vote. Try to make vote-by-mail as difficult as possible. Claim it’s fraudulent when indeed it’s not. In fact, that’s how Donald Trump votes and everybody who knows about vote-by-mail understands that.”
With that, Noah asked if she believes President Trump, who has repeatedly said in the past that voter fraud is an issue with voting by mail, will attempt to use the vast number of Americans likely to vote by mail in November due to the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to delegitimize the election and refuse to yield power in the event he loses.
“I think it is a fair point to raise as to whether or not, if he loses, he’s going to go quietly or not. We have to be ready for that,” she cautioned. “But there have been so many academic studies and other analyses that point out that it’s just an inaccurate, fraudulent claim. There isn’t that problem.”
Clinton added: “All the games that are played and all the photo IDs and any kind of restriction that can be imposed to try to keep the vote down in places that aren’t going to vote for Republicans, that’s the real danger to the integrity of our election. That combined with misinformation and disinformation and all the online shenanigans that we saw in 2016.”
Clinton concluded her thoughts on voter suppression and Trump potentially refusing to yield power by saying that, above all, she simply wants a fair and honest election.


welovetrump--2020-07-15--Former AG Jeff Sessions Loses Election To Trump Pick

For those unfamiliar with the term , it seems that for those who sleight the President , bad luck soon follows .
For poor ol ’ Jeff Sessions , the Trump Curse came knocking tonight when he lost a Senate Run-Off bid in Alabama .
Jeff Sessions lost an Alabama Senate GOP primary runoff on Tuesday to former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville , CNN projects , a major blow to the former attorney general who faced fierce opposition to his candidacy from President Donald Trump .
Tuberville , who was endorsed by the President , will now advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate set to take on incumbent Alabama Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in November .
Jones , who pulled off an upset in the deep red state in a 2017 special election , is widely viewed as the most vulnerable Senate Democrat facing reelection in 2020 .
As a result , the race is likely to be the Republican Party ’ s best pick-up opportunity of the cycle .
The outcome of the race marks a significant political defeat for Sessions , who had been fighting to reclaim a Senate seat that he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US senator to endorse Trump in the 2016 presidential race and was once a prominent figure in the Trump administration as the top official leading the Justice Department .
But he fell out of favor with the President and became a target of Trump ’ s attacks after he recused himself while serving as attorney general from the FBI probe into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign .
Trump was quick to celebrate the victory for his candidate of choice on Tuesday night , tweeting , “ Tommy Tuberville WON big against Jeff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the incredible people of Alabama .
@ DougJones is a terrible Senator who is just a Super Liberal puppet for Schumer & Pelosi .
Represents Alabama poorly .
On to November 3rd .
”

The Trump curse lives on.
For those unfamiliar with the term, it seems that for those who sleight the President, bad luck soon follows.
For poor ol’ Jeff Sessions, the Trump Curse came knocking tonight when he lost a Senate Run-Off bid in Alabama.
From CNN:
Jeff Sessions lost an Alabama Senate GOP primary runoff on Tuesday to former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville, CNN projects, a major blow to the former attorney general who faced fierce opposition to his candidacy from President Donald Trump.
Tuberville, who was endorsed by the President, will now advance to the general election as the Republican candidate set to take on incumbent Alabama Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in November. Jones, who pulled off an upset in the deep red state in a 2017 special election, is widely viewed as the most vulnerable Senate Democrat facing reelection in 2020. As a result, the race is likely to be the Republican Party’s best pick-up opportunity of the cycle.
The outcome of the race marks a significant political defeat for Sessions, who had been fighting to reclaim a Senate seat that he had previously held.
Sessions was the first US senator to endorse Trump in the 2016 presidential race and was once a prominent figure in the Trump administration as the top official leading the Justice Department. But he fell out of favor with the President and became a target of Trump’s attacks after he recused himself while serving as attorney general from the FBI probe into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign.
Trump was quick to celebrate the victory for his candidate of choice on Tuesday night, tweeting, “Tommy Tuberville WON big against Jeff Sessions. Will be a GREAT Senator for the incredible people of Alabama. @DougJones is a terrible Senator who is just a Super Liberal puppet for Schumer & Pelosi. Represents Alabama poorly. On to November 3rd.”


welovetrump--2020-07-15--Trudeau Faces Third Corruption Probe

Trudeau Faces Third Corruption Probe

While the media and cultural elitists of the word will have you believe that President Trump is corrupt , it seems like they are the ones who keep getting busted .
Take Canada 's Drama Teacher in Chief , Justin Trudeau , for example .
He 's now facing at least his third corruption scandal since the beginning of his time in office as Prime Minister .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized on Monday for granting a federal aid program to a private organization that has paid his family at least $ 220,000 , Canadian newspaper the Globe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trudeau faced increasing calls from both sides of the aisle for him to testify before parliament over his involvement in the federal government ’ s decision to grant a now-canceled $ 664 million federal contract to We Charity , an organization that has paid his family members on multiple occasions for speaking engagements .
“ I made a mistake in not recusing myself immediately from the discussions , given our family ’ s history , and I ’ m sincerely sorry about not having done that , ” Trudeau said at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finance Minister Bill Morneau apologized on Monday “ for not recusing themselves from a cabinet decision about [ the We ] contract despite their personal and family ties to the organization .
Mr. Trudeau ’ s family members , including his wife , mother , and brother , have been paid to take part in WE Charity events and Bill Morneau ’ s daughter is a contract employee there , ” the Globe and Mail reported .
The Globe and Mail is “ a media partner of WE Charity , ” the newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Conservative Party of Canada has asked the Royal Canadian Mountain Police to open a criminal investigation into the incident to determine whether fraud was committed in the government ’ s granting of the contract to the charity .
Conservative members of parliament have demanded Trudeau and Morneau , both members of Canada ’ s leftist Liberal Party , testify before a parliamentary committee investigating the contract .
On July 3 , Canada ’ s ethics commissioner launched an investigation into whether the president violated the nation ’ s Conflict of Interest Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethics investigation since he was elected prime minister in 2015 .
Trudeau violated the Conflict of Interest Act in both previous instances .
The first , in 2017 , involved a vacation Trudeau took on a private island owned by the multibillionaire Aga Khan , the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim sect .
The second violation occurred last year when Trudeau attempted to protect the engineering company SNC-Lavalin from prosecution in a case that saw a subsidiary of the group “ accused of paying bribes to secure contracts in Libya , ” @ @ @ @ @

While the media and cultural elitists of the word will have you believe that President Trump is corrupt, it seems like they are the ones who keep getting busted.
Take Canada's Drama Teacher in Chief, Justin Trudeau, for example.
He's now facing at least his third corruption scandal since the beginning of his time in office as Prime Minister.
From Breitbart News:
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized on Monday for granting a federal aid program to a private organization that has paid his family at least $220,000, Canadian newspaper the Globe and Mail reported on Tuesday. On Tuesday, Trudeau faced increasing calls from both sides of the aisle for him to testify before parliament over his involvement in the federal government’s decision to grant a now-canceled $664 million federal contract to We Charity, an organization that has paid his family members on multiple occasions for speaking engagements. “I made a mistake in not recusing myself immediately from the discussions, given our family’s history, and I’m sincerely sorry about not having done that,” Trudeau said at a press conference. Both Trudeau and Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau apologized on Monday “for not recusing themselves from a cabinet decision about [the We] contract despite their personal and family ties to the organization. Mr. Trudeau’s family members, including his wife, mother, and brother, have been paid to take part in WE Charity events and Bill Morneau’s daughter is a contract employee there,” the Globe and Mail reported. The Globe and Mail is “a media partner of WE Charity,” the newspaper disclosed in its article on Tuesday. The Conservative Party of Canada has asked the Royal Canadian Mountain Police to open a criminal investigation into the incident to determine whether fraud was committed in the government’s granting of the contract to the charity. Conservative members of parliament have demanded Trudeau and Morneau, both members of Canada’s leftist Liberal Party, testify before a parliamentary committee investigating the contract. On July 3, Canada’s ethics commissioner launched an investigation into whether the president violated the nation’s Conflict of Interest Act. This marks Trudeau’s third ethics investigation since he was elected prime minister in 2015. Trudeau violated the Conflict of Interest Act in both previous instances. The first, in 2017, involved a vacation Trudeau took on a private island owned by the multibillionaire Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim sect. The second violation occurred last year when Trudeau attempted to protect the engineering company SNC-Lavalin from prosecution in a case that saw a subsidiary of the group “accused of paying bribes to secure contracts in Libya,” the BBC reported."


welovetrump--2020-07-15--Sen Graham Will Call Mueller To Testify

Sen Graham Will Call Mueller To Testify

America 's favorite investigator evidently has a lot to say .
So in case you missed his recent Op-Ed in Jeff Bezo 's Washington Post , fear not , he 'll have his chance to spill his guts in front of the Senate soon enough .
Time reports on Senator Lindsey Graham 's intention to call on Robert Mueller to testify in the near future : Sen. Lindsey Graham has announced that he will grant Democrats ’ request to have former special counsel Robert Mueller testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the Senate ’ s leaders comes a day after Mueller broke a longstanding silence to defend his probe , and its consequential conviction of Roger Stone , in a public op-ed .
Graham , a South Carolina Republican and the Judiciary Committee ’ s chair , has attempted to discredit Mueller ’ s inquiry in the past .
And ever since Mueller ’ s official report was released last spring , Graham has brushed off Democrats ’ requests for Mueller to testify in the Senate , telling CNN in April 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m done with the Mueller report.
” Mueller later testified before the House .
The only invitation Graham had previously offered Mueller was an opportunity to respond to Attorney General William Barr ’ s Senate judiciary Committee testimony .
On Saturday , Mueller wrote a blunt Washington Post opinion piece , defending his findings and the conviction of President Donald Trump ally Roger Stone for obstructing a congressional investigation .
The former special counsel said he felt “ compelled to respond both to broad claims that our investigation was illegitimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to specific claims that Roger Stone was a victim of our office.
” “ Apparently Mr. Mueller is willing – and also capable – of defending the Mueller investigation through an op-ed in the Washington Post , ” Graham wrote on Twitter .
“ Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have previously requested Mr. Mueller appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify about his investigation .
That request will be granted .
”

America's favorite investigator evidently has a lot to say.
So in case you missed his recent Op-Ed in Jeff Bezo's Washington Post, fear not, he'll have his chance to spill his guts in front of the Senate soon enough.
Time reports on Senator Lindsey Graham's intention to call on Robert Mueller to testify in the near future:
Sen. Lindsey Graham has announced that he will grant Democrats’ request to have former special counsel Robert Mueller testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The surprising statement from one of the Senate’s leaders comes a day after Mueller broke a longstanding silence to defend his probe, and its consequential conviction of Roger Stone, in a public op-ed.
Graham, a South Carolina Republican and the Judiciary Committee’s chair, has attempted to discredit Mueller’s inquiry in the past. And ever since Mueller’s official report was released last spring, Graham has brushed off Democrats’ requests for Mueller to testify in the Senate, telling CNN in April 2019, “I’m all good, I’m done with the Mueller report.” Mueller later testified before the House. The only invitation Graham had previously offered Mueller was an opportunity to respond to Attorney General William Barr’s Senate judiciary Committee testimony.
On Saturday, Mueller wrote a blunt Washington Post opinion piece, defending his findings and the conviction of President Donald Trump ally Roger Stone for obstructing a congressional investigation. The former special counsel said he felt “compelled to respond both to broad claims that our investigation was illegitimate and our motives were improper, and to specific claims that Roger Stone was a victim of our office.”
“Apparently Mr. Mueller is willing – and also capable – of defending the Mueller investigation through an op-ed in the Washington Post,” Graham wrote on Twitter. “Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have previously requested Mr. Mueller appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify about his investigation. That request will be granted.”


welovetrump--2020-07-15--It’s The Economy Stupid! AOC Says NYC Murderers Just Looking For Bread

While AOC enjoys her taxpayer funded vacation doing whatever it is that leftwing egomaniacs do , people in the city she represents are burying their loved ones on a daily basis .
Not because they have the Covid-19 Virus , although many in the state of New York have , but because her insane ideas are gaining traction in local government-and the shootings just won ’ t stop .
Now she wants you to believe that children are getting murdered by stray bullets because starving New Yorkers are just looking for a crust of bread .
From our friends at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocasio-Cortez suggested over the weekend that the crime surge in New York City is likely because struggling residents are forced to shoplift in order to “ feed their child.
” In a virtual town hall meeting she hosted Thursday , some clips of which were shared by The Hill , the 30-year-old Democratic congresswoman was asked about the troubling uptick in violent crimes overtaking the city .
“ Do we think this has to do with the fact that there ’ s record unemployment in the United States right now ?
” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are at a level of economic desperation that we have not seen since the Great Recession ?
” “ Maybe this has to do with the fact that people aren ’ t paying their rent and are scared to pay their rent and so they go out , and they need to feed their child and they don ’ t have money , ” Ocasio-Cortez continued , “ so they feel like they either need to shoplift some bread or go hungry.
” The New York Police Department ( NYPD ) has reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crimes in recent weeks , as officials warn there ’ s “ a storm on the horizon ” amid calls for changes .
On Saturday , the New York Post reported 15 shootings in 15 hours , just one week after the city saw a bloody July Fourth weekend with 44 shootings and at least eight killed .
The congresswoman and vocal supporter of the “ defund police ” movement insisted , however , that the crime spike is unrelated to the $ 1 billion NYPD budget cuts announced by Mayor Bill de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect , she claimed .
The New York Democrat recently spoke out against the budget cuts , arguing that they don ’ t go far enough to entirely defund the department , and accused de Blasio of using “ budget tricks ” and “ funny math ” in the calculation .
”

While AOC enjoys her taxpayer funded vacation doing whatever it is that leftwing egomaniacs do, people in the city she represents are burying their loved ones on a daily basis.
Not because they have the Covid-19 Virus, although many in the state of New York have, but because her insane ideas are gaining traction in local government-and the shootings just won’t stop.
Now she wants you to believe that children are getting murdered by stray bullets because starving New Yorkers are just looking for a crust of bread.
From our friends at Fox News:
New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suggested over the weekend that the crime surge in New York City is likely because struggling residents are forced to shoplift in order to “feed their child.” In a virtual town hall meeting she hosted Thursday, some clips of which were shared by The Hill, the 30-year-old Democratic congresswoman was asked about the troubling uptick in violent crimes overtaking the city. “Do we think this has to do with the fact that there’s record unemployment in the United States right now?” she responded. “The fact that people are at a level of economic desperation that we have not seen since the Great Recession?” “Maybe this has to do with the fact that people aren’t paying their rent and are scared to pay their rent and so they go out, and they need to feed their child and they don’t have money,” Ocasio-Cortez continued, “so they feel like they either need to shoplift some bread or go hungry.” The New York Police Department (NYPD) has reported a staggering increase in shootings and violent crimes in recent weeks, as officials warn there’s “a storm on the horizon” amid calls for changes. On Saturday, the New York Post reported 15 shootings in 15 hours, just one week after the city saw a bloody July Fourth weekend with 44 shootings and at least eight killed. The congresswoman and vocal supporter of the “defund police” movement insisted, however, that the crime spike is unrelated to the $1 billion NYPD budget cuts announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio, which have not yet taken effect, she claimed. The New York Democrat recently spoke out against the budget cuts, arguing that they don’t go far enough to entirely defund the department, and accused de Blasio of using “budget tricks” and “funny math” in the calculation.”


welovetrump--2020-07-16--AG Barr Confronts Hollywood, American Tech Over Chinese Relationships

The Chinese Communist Party is not your friend and they will replace you .
AG William Barr spoke out on @ @ @ @ @ between American entities and the Chinese dictatorship .
From our friends at Fox News : @ @ @ @ @ a dire warning to the U.S. and the world on Thursday regarding what he said @ @ @ @ @ important issue for our nation and the world in the 21st century ” : the @ @ @ @ @ global ambitions .
Discussing sectors , including the technology , pharmaceutical , and entertainment industries @ @ @ @ @ Chinese government is “ engaged in an economic blitzkrieg ” aimed at dominating the global @ @ @ @ @ as the world ’ s top superpower .
“ The CCP has launched an orchestrated @ @ @ @ @ its many tentacles in Chinese government and society , to exploit the openness of our @ @ @ @ @ them , ” Barr said during an address at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum @ @

Hollywood & Big Business be warned.
The Chinese Communist Party is not your friend and they will replace you.
AG William Barr spoke out on Thursday against the cozy relationship between American entities and the Chinese dictatorship.
From our friends at Fox News:
Attorney General Bill Barr delivered a dire warning to the U.S. and the world on Thursday regarding what he said could be “the most important issue for our nation and the world in the 21st century”: the Chinese Communist Party’s global ambitions. Discussing sectors, including the technology, pharmaceutical, and entertainment industries, Barr described how the Chinese government is “engaged in an economic blitzkrieg” aimed at dominating the global economy and replacing the U.S. as the world’s top superpower. “The CCP has launched an orchestrated campaign, across all of its many tentacles in Chinese government and society, to exploit the openness of our institutions in order to destroy them,” Barr said during an address at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum."


welovetrump--2020-07-16--NYC Man Stabs Ex While Walking Baby Together

Children are being killed in crossfire .
Now a man is captured on footage allegedly stabbing his ex-girlfriend while walking @ @ @ @ @ .
From our friends at Fox News : Police in New York City are searching @ @ @ @ @ a disturbing video allegedly attacking his ex-girlfriend as she was pushing their infant son in @ @ @ @ @ Fox5 NY that Carlos Gonzales , the suspect , was walking with the 21-year-old victim @ @ @ @ @ an argument Tuesday night in the city ’ s Bronx borough .
Gonzales then placed @ @ @ @ @ dragged her to the ground and stabbed her before fleeing the scene , police said @ @ @ @ @ attack shows the stroller being tipped over during the struggle – sending the child careening @ @ @ @ @ infant and mother were both sent to a local hospital and are reported to be @ @ @ @ @ , a 25-year-old from Manhattan , was last seen wearing yellow shorts , a white @ @ @ @ @ according to Fox5 NY . ''

The Big Apple's descent into darkness continues.
Children are being killed in crossfire.
Now a man is captured on footage allegedly stabbing his ex-girlfriend while walking their baby down the street.
From our friends at Fox News:
Police in New York City are searching for a man seen in a disturbing video allegedly attacking his ex-girlfriend as she was pushing their infant son in a stroller.
Investigators told Fox5 NY that Carlos Gonzales, the suspect, was walking with the 21-year-old victim when the two got into an argument Tuesday night in the city’s Bronx borough.
Gonzales then placed her in a chokehold, dragged her to the ground and stabbed her before fleeing the scene, police said.
Surveillance footage of the attack shows the stroller being tipped over during the struggle – sending the child careening onto the sidewalk.
The infant and mother were both sent to a local hospital and are reported to be in stable condition.
Gonzales, a 25-year-old from Manhattan, was last seen wearing yellow shorts, a white T-shirt and white sneakers, according to Fox5 NY."


welovetrump--2020-07-16--Video: City Removes Unauthorized BLM Statue After 24 Hours

LONDON — Just 24 hours after it was put up , a Black Lives Matter sculpture that replaced the statue of a slave trader in the British city of Bristol has been removed by authorities .
During protests that swept Europe following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , demonstrators in Bristol , a small city around 120 miles west of London , toppled the statue of Edward Colston , a city benefactor who made his fortune in the 17th-century slave trade , and tossed it into the harbor .
Early Wednesday , the British artist Marc Quinn erected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the protesters , Bristol resident Jen Reid , giving a Black Power salute .
Authorities have now used a crane to remove the life-size black resin artwork , titled `` A Surge of Power ( Jen Reid ) 2020 . ''
Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said he believes that whatever replaces Colston 's statue needs to reflect all aspects of the city 's history and must be decided by its residents .
`` I prefer to say we 're not taking down the statue of a Black Lives Matter protester , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a London-based artist who erected it without permission and without any conversation with the city , '' Rees told Sky News , which , like NBC News , is owned by Comcast Corp. , on Thursday .

LONDON — Just 24 hours after it was put up, a Black Lives Matter sculpture that replaced the statue of a slave trader in the British city of Bristol has been removed by authorities.
During protests that swept Europe following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, demonstrators in Bristol, a small city around 120 miles west of London, toppled the statue of Edward Colston, a city benefactor who made his fortune in the 17th-century slave trade, and tossed it into the harbor.
Early Wednesday, the British artist Marc Quinn erected his unauthorized replacement: a sculpture depicting one of the protesters, Bristol resident Jen Reid, giving a Black Power salute. Authorities have now used a crane to remove the life-size black resin artwork, titled "A Surge of Power (Jen Reid) 2020."
Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said he believes that whatever replaces Colston's statue needs to reflect all aspects of the city's history and must be decided by its residents.
"I prefer to say we're not taking down the statue of a Black Lives Matter protester, we are taking down the work of a London-based artist who erected it without permission and without any conversation with the city," Rees told Sky News, which, like NBC News, is owned by Comcast Corp., on Thursday.
The mayor, who is black, said he disliked Colston's statue but disagreed with the way it was torn down. It has since been retrieved from the water and will be put in a museum. A committee of historians is now working to come up with a replacement that reflects the city's past and represents its residents' differing views, he said.


welovetrump--2020-07-16--Video: Chris Cuomo Rants + Swears On Air Over Trump Pushing Goya Products

CNN 's most prominent anchors took turns trashing President Trump on Wednesday for expressing his support for Goya products amid the boycott fueled by prominent Democrats .
Conservatives have been rallying behind the iconic food company after its president Bob Unanue received backlash for praising Trump at the White House last week , saying the country is “ truly blessed ” to have a president like Trump .
Democrats like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and former Obama HUD Secretary Julián Castro were among those who called for a boycott of Goya products .
Following his daughter Ivanka Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter of herself holding a can of Goya black beans , the president followed suit on Instagram and shared a picture of himself in the Oval Office giving two thumbs up behind a spread of the company 's products on the Resolute Desk .
However , the gesture did not sit well at the anti-Trump network .
`` When you want aggressive leadership pushing a nationwide testing and contact tracing program to contain and then end the pandemic but instead get bupkes , '' CNN anchor Jake Tapper reacted on Twitter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ night with a blistering monologue filled with condemnation and insults .
`` Thumbs up .
Orange .
Grinning like he won a prize .
137,000 Americans dead and this is our self-proclaimed wartime president 's answer to it , '' an emotional Cooper said about the `` ridiculous '' photograph .
`` Given the death toll and the spread of the virus , you might think he would spend every waking moment trying to combat it , talking to victim 's families , rallying Americans to be patriotic by wearing a mask , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but no .
This is what he wants the world to see , the infected , the recovering , the newly grieving , anyone on Instagram .
The more clicks for this president , the better . ''
Keeping the image up for over seven minutes , Cooper blasted Trump and his White House over efforts to undermine Dr. Anthony Fauci , insisting `` they do n't have the guts '' to apologize to him .
`` This is our president and people are dying and people are getting sick and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and our economy is in shambles .
We 're in a public health battle for our lives and our futures and our president is sitting there behind the Resolute Desk resolutely clutching at beans , '' Cooper told viewers .

CNN's most prominent anchors took turns trashing President Trump on Wednesday for expressing his support for Goya products amid the boycott fueled by prominent Democrats.
Conservatives have been rallying behind the iconic food company after its president Bob Unanue received backlash for praising Trump at the White House last week, saying the country is “truly blessed” to have a president like Trump.
Democrats like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and former Obama HUD Secretary Julián Castro were among those who called for a boycott of Goya products.
Following his daughter Ivanka Trump, who on Tuesday shared a picture on Twitter of herself holding a can of Goya black beans, the president followed suit on Instagram and shared a picture of himself in the Oval Office giving two thumbs up behind a spread of the company's products on the Resolute Desk.
However, the gesture did not sit well at the anti-Trump network.
"When you want aggressive leadership pushing a nationwide testing and contact tracing program to contain and then end the pandemic but instead get bupkes," CNN anchor Jake Tapper reacted on Twitter.
Anderson Cooper kicked off his show Wednesday night with a blistering monologue filled with condemnation and insults.
"Thumbs up. Orange. Grinning like he won a prize. 137,000 Americans dead and this is our self-proclaimed wartime president's answer to it," an emotional Cooper said about the "ridiculous" photograph. "Given the death toll and the spread of the virus, you might think he would spend every waking moment trying to combat it, talking to victim's families, rallying Americans to be patriotic by wearing a mask, washing their hands, protecting their neighbors, but no. This is what he wants the world to see, the infected, the recovering, the newly grieving, anyone on Instagram. The more clicks for this president, the better."
Keeping the image up for over seven minutes, Cooper blasted Trump and his White House over efforts to undermine Dr. Anthony Fauci, insisting "they don't have the guts" to apologize to him.
"This is our president and people are dying and people are getting sick and more will die and more will get sick and our economy is in shambles. We're in a public health battle for our lives and our futures and our president is sitting there behind the Resolute Desk resolutely clutching at beans," Cooper told viewers.


welovetrump--2020-07-16--LA Times Op Ed: Cancel The Anthem

LA Times Op Ed: Cancel The Anthem

O say can you see… That outrageous editorial in the LA Times that argues `` Lean On Me '' should be our National Anthem ?
Do n't get me wrong , I love Bill Withers as much as the next guy , but c'mon .
A contributing writer for the far-left Los Angeles Times let the crazy fly with the demand that the “ Star-Spangled Banner ” be canceled as our national anthem and replaced with Bill Withers ’ 1972 hit “ Lean on Me.
” After a lot of psycho-babble about everything wrong with the “ Star-Spangled Banner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just because its author , Francis Scott Key , was a slaveholder , but also that suspicious verse ( no one sings ) — “ No refuge could save the hireling and slave/From the terror of flight , or the gloom of the grave ” — that might be racist , we ’ re finally told , “ it ’ s not an especially American song.
” Additionally , “ Its lyrics are ornate and Anglophile , with syntax that frustrates the efforts of normal human Americans to follow along — to deduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gleaming and streaming.
” What ’ s more , the song is “ charmless and difficult to sing , which meanders through wan melodic passages en route to a big climactic cry … that defeats 99 % of vocalists who attempt it.
” Yes , by all means , like everything else the left touches in America , let ’ s dumb down the national anthem into something easy to perform and so simplistic no one need to think about what it means .
Which is not a rebuke of “ Lean on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has nothing to do with country or pride in country… If you think the op-ed sounds like satire already , wait until you get to the list of reasons why those songs that have already been proposed as national anthem alternates to the “ Star-Spangled Banner ” are problematic… John Lennon ’ s “ Imagine ” — too British and written by a rich guy .
“ Lift Every Voice and Sing ” — “ out of step with the 21st century , with a prim melody redolent of Victorian light opera @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poesy , ” which is probably a way of saying , “ icky God stuff.
” “ This Land Is Your Land ” — “ Guthrie ’ s song has its own blind spots : to indigenous Americans , the refrain ‘ This land belongs to you and me ’ may sound less like an egalitarian vision than a settler-colonialist manifesto.
” Yes , Woody Guthrie is no longer woke enough .
“ Nope , none of these songs will do , ” we ’ re told .
“ At a moment when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of multiple crises — convulsed by debates over racism and injustice , ravaged by a pandemic , with a crumbling economy and a faltering democracy — the very idea of a national anthem , a hymn to the glory of country , feels like a crude relic , another monument that may warrant tearing down.
” So “ Lean on Me , ” a feelzzz-good pop hit , a wedding and romantic comedy staple , is our only option : [ I ] f the point of a national anthem is to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ideas and values that this place is supposed to stand for , you could do worse than “ Lean on Me.
” “ You just call on me brother , when you need a hand / We all need somebody to lean on / I just might have a problem that you ’ ll understand / We all need somebody to lean on.
” When you bolster that sentiment , as Withers does , with some handclaps and a funky bassline , the words ring even truer .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a pretty solid foundation for a decent society .
It can bear the load . ''

O say can you see…
That outrageous editorial in the LA Times that argues "Lean On Me" should be our National Anthem?
Don't get me wrong, I love Bill Withers as much as the next guy, but c'mon.
Here's the story from Breitbart News:
A contributing writer for the far-left Los Angeles Times let the crazy fly with the demand that the “Star-Spangled Banner” be canceled as our national anthem and replaced with Bill Withers’ 1972 hit “Lean on Me.”
After a lot of psycho-babble about everything wrong with the “Star-Spangled Banner,” how it is problematic, not just because its author, Francis Scott Key, was a slaveholder, but also that suspicious verse (no one sings) — “No refuge could save the hireling and slave/From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave” — that might be racist, we’re finally told, “it’s not an especially American song.”
Oh, okay…
Additionally, “Its lyrics are ornate and Anglophile, with syntax that frustrates the efforts of normal human Americans to follow along — to deduce who or what, exactly, is gleaming and streaming.”
What’s more, the song is “charmless and difficult to sing, which meanders through wan melodic passages en route to a big climactic cry … that defeats 99% of vocalists who attempt it.”
Yes, by all means, like everything else the left touches in America, let’s dumb down the national anthem into something easy to perform and so simplistic no one need to think about what it means.
Which is not a rebuke of “Lean on Me,” a perfectly lovely song that has nothing to do with country or pride in country…
If you think the op-ed sounds like satire already, wait until you get to the list of reasons why those songs that have already been proposed as national anthem alternates to the “Star-Spangled Banner” are problematic…
John Lennon’s “Imagine” — too British and written by a rich guy.
“Lift Every Voice and Sing” — “out of step with the 21st century, with a prim melody redolent of Victorian light opera and a lyric sheet full of antiquated poesy,” which is probably a way of saying, “icky God stuff.”
“God Bless America” — “its uncomplicated patriotism … doesn’t wash in 2020.”
And here’s my favorite…
“This Land Is Your Land” — “Guthrie’s song has its own blind spots: to indigenous Americans, the refrain ‘This land belongs to you and me’ may sound less like an egalitarian vision than a settler-colonialist manifesto.”
Yes, Woody Guthrie is no longer woke enough.
“Nope, none of these songs will do,” we’re told. “At a moment when the United States is in the grip of multiple crises — convulsed by debates over racism and injustice, ravaged by a pandemic, with a crumbling economy and a faltering democracy — the very idea of a national anthem, a hymn to the glory of country, feels like a crude relic, another monument that may warrant tearing down.”
So “Lean on Me,” a feelzzz-good pop hit, a wedding and romantic comedy staple, is our only option:
[I]f the point of a national anthem is to provide … a reminder in music and words of the ideas and values that this place is supposed to stand for, you could do worse than “Lean on Me.” “You just call on me brother, when you need a hand / We all need somebody to lean on / I just might have a problem that you’ll understand / We all need somebody to lean on.”
When you bolster that sentiment, as Withers does, with some handclaps and a funky bassline, the words ring even truer. It’s a message you could build something on, a pretty solid foundation for a decent society. It can bear the load."


welovetrump--2020-07-16--San Francisco Houses Homeless In Hotels, Buys Them Booze, Drugs

The NYPost has more : One recent morning a disheveled , visibly disturbed man ran frantically around the lobby of San Francisco ’ s Mark Hopkins hotel , the historic and elegant property located at the crest of tony Nob Hill .
As one of that city ’ s designated Front-Line Worker Housing ( FLWH ) hotels , it ’ s reserved for health-care and public-safety employees working on COVID-19-related matters .
But San Francisco is surreptitiously placing homeless people in luxury hotels by designating them as emergency front-line workers , a term that the broader community understands to mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Do I look scary to you ?
” the man demanded .
“ They ’ re trying to evict me because I wanted more towels but I ’ m homeless !
They called the cops on me.
” He dashed out the door and around the grand circular entrance , where two police officers attempted to resolve the situation .
Soon a cab pulled up and an inebriated couple emerged , holding full plastic trash bags .
They fought , screaming at each other until the woman entered the lobby and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garage area .
More “ front-line workers.
” If neighborhood residents were more aware of the influx of these new guests , who frequently suffer from drug addiction and severe mental illness as well as having criminal backgrounds , they might object .
Consequently , the city has evoked emergency-disaster law to keep the information private .
Officials refuse to notify the public about what is happening in their community and are blocking the press by withholding the list of hotels and preventing reporters from entering the properties .
The Department of Emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by claiming , “ Disclosure of the names of hotels where people are being sheltered could jeopardize the privacy and safety of the vulnerable people whom the City has placed there if the public and the press become aware of the circumstances of their placement and could increase the risk that they will be subject to discrimination or harassment on the basis of their health status or status as an unsheltered person.
” The public does have a right to know , however , and obfuscation is ultimately futile .
Security guards standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never been before , are clear indicators that something is amiss .
An uptick in crime , drug activity and vagrancy around the hotels is another clue .
Properties that have become de facto homeless shelters range from low-end haunts such as the Motel 6 to mid-range and boutique hotels .
High-end hotels that house the homeless-turned-frontline-workers include the InterContinental San Francisco — and the Mark Hopkins .
The InterContinental Mark Hopkins is now a homeless shelter.Alamy The Department of Public Health manages the controversial free alcohol , cigarette and cannabis program for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It originally claimed that money for the service came from private donations , which are not allowed by law .
After multiple requests to provide the names of the donors , the DPH conceded that “ No such record currently exists.
” A public-records investigation into the matter has revealed that , as of June 16 , DPH approved $ 3,795.98 to buy the homeless guests vodka and beer ( cigarettes have been scrapped ) .
The funding came from the public treasury , after all .
Meanwhile , chaos is erupting inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel workers are required to sign nondisclosure agreements and are forbidden from discussing what they ’ re seeing .
Per the Mayor ’ s Declaration of Emergency , speaking out can result in a fine of up to $ 1,000 , imprisonment with a maximum sentence of one year , or both . ''

The NYPost has more:
One recent morning a disheveled, visibly disturbed man ran frantically around the lobby of San Francisco’s Mark Hopkins hotel, the historic and elegant property located at the crest of tony Nob Hill. As one of that city’s designated Front-Line Worker Housing (FLWH) hotels, it’s reserved for health-care and public-safety employees working on COVID-19-related matters. But San Francisco is surreptitiously placing homeless people in luxury hotels by designating them as emergency front-line workers, a term that the broader community understands to mean doctors, nurses and similar professionals.
“Do I look scary to you?” the man demanded. “They’re trying to evict me because I wanted more towels but I’m homeless! They called the cops on me.” He dashed out the door and around the grand circular entrance, where two police officers attempted to resolve the situation. Soon a cab pulled up and an inebriated couple emerged, holding full plastic trash bags. They fought, screaming at each other until the woman entered the lobby and her partner lit a meth pipe in the garage area. More “front-line workers.”
If neighborhood residents were more aware of the influx of these new guests, who frequently suffer from drug addiction and severe mental illness as well as having criminal backgrounds, they might object. Consequently, the city has evoked emergency-disaster law to keep the information private. Officials refuse to notify the public about what is happening in their community and are blocking the press by withholding the list of hotels and preventing reporters from entering the properties. The Department of Emergency Management has attempted to spin the secrecy by claiming, “Disclosure of the names of hotels where people are being sheltered could jeopardize the privacy and safety of the vulnerable people whom the City has placed there if the public and the press become aware of the circumstances of their placement and could increase the risk that they will be subject to discrimination or harassment on the basis of their health status or status as an unsheltered person.”
The public does have a right to know, however, and obfuscation is ultimately futile. Security guards standing outside hotel entrances, where they had never been before, are clear indicators that something is amiss. An uptick in crime, drug activity and vagrancy around the hotels is another clue. Properties that have become de facto homeless shelters range from low-end haunts such as the Motel 6 to mid-range and boutique hotels. High-end hotels that house the homeless-turned-frontline-workers include the InterContinental San Francisco — and the Mark Hopkins.
The InterContinental Mark Hopkins is now a homeless shelter.Alamy
The Department of Public Health manages the controversial free alcohol, cigarette and cannabis program for homeless people placed in the hotels. It originally claimed that money for the service came from private donations, which are not allowed by law. After multiple requests to provide the names of the donors, the DPH conceded that “No such record currently exists.” A public-records investigation into the matter has revealed that, as of June 16, DPH approved $3,795.98 to buy the homeless guests vodka and beer (cigarettes have been scrapped). The funding came from the public treasury, after all.
Meanwhile, chaos is erupting inside and around the hotels. City and hotel workers are required to sign nondisclosure agreements and are forbidden from discussing what they’re seeing. Per the Mayor’s Declaration of Emergency, speaking out can result in a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment with a maximum sentence of one year, or both."